H—2o

The heading of " Quarries " covers two small quarries at New Plymouth and Napier, with a larger quarry at Auckland and a large gravel-pit at Paparua. The pit at Paparua has increased its output considerably over the past few years. For the years 1946, 1947, .and 1948 sales have been valued at £3.961, £7,720, and £9,500 respectively. Plans are now in hand for some extension of the mechanization at this pit, and this when installed should assist considerably to overcome the present difficulty of increasing output to fulfil outstanding orders so urgently required by the building industry. Auckland quarry had its best year in 1943, when sales were £11,700. Due, however, to supervision difficulties owing to shortage of staff, this quarry was not worked anything like full time, and for 1947 sales were reduced to £1,950. In 1948, because of better staffing, sales increased to £5,400. The output of " Farms and Gardens " for 1947 was valued at £68,000, and would, if all produce were sold on the open market instead of a considerable quantity being transferred to institutions for ration purposes, have been much higher. This satisfactory figure of £68,000 was contributed to by each institution, the output value of each being—- £ Arohata .. .. .. .. 670 Hautu .. .. .. .. 7,220 Invercargill .. .. .. .. 10,300 Paparua .. .. .. .. 8,850 Rangipo .. .. .. .. 3,000 Waikeria .. .. .. .. 28,900 Waikune .. .. .. .. 1,450 Wi Tako .. .. .. .. 4,400 Minor gardens .. .. .. 3,100 £67,890 From the figures already available for 1948 it is apparent that farm and garden ■output will exceed that for 1947 and that production value will considerably exceed the 1947 figure of £68,000. So far as is possible the Department's farms are Dot specialized, but give an all-round training in primary production. Apart from gardening, which is carried on at all institutions, practically every form of farming is practised. The scope covered is wide to include : (1) Dairying, including factory supply, pasteurization and bottling of milk for milk in schools, cream for ice-cream manufacture, and milk for institutional purposes. (2) Sheep, including the fat-lamb trade, wool, and the sale of breeding ewes, and meat for rations. (3) Cattle for disposal to the beef market and for ration purposes. (4) Cropping, including wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and small seed. (5) An orchard producing apples, pears, peaches, plums, and small fruits, and equipped with an up-to-date sorting and packing plant. (6) An apiary of some one hundred hives. (7) Tobacco-growing for institutional needs. For that considerable proportion of inmates who have some knowledge of or bent for primary production the Department's farms, conducted as they are on efficient management lines, give an opportunity to further the individual's knowledge of this essential industry and helps considerably in his adaptability on discharge.

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